Handshake vs GradLeaders

Handshake8.9Visit GradLeaders8.4Visit

Higher score Handshake #1 in Career Services Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Handshake

vs

GradLeaders #3 in Career Services Software 8.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit GradLeaders

• Handshake fits best

  Career centers needing a broad employer and student network

• GradLeaders fits best

  Career centers prioritizing events and employers

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Side by side

Feature	Handshake 8.9/10 Visit ↗	GradLeaders 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.4
Ranking	#1 in Career Services Software	#3 in Career Services Software
Best for	Career centers needing a broad employer and student network	Career centers prioritizing events and employers
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	Pricing on request
Free plan	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Phone, Docs
Compliance	SOC 2, GDPR, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML	GDPR, SOC 2
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Handshake 0/6 · GradLeaders 0/6
Appointment scheduling	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Employer portal	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Job posting workflow	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Outcomes tracking	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Event management	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Student mobile app	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Free Basic plan supports job posts and a company presence ATS integrations connect applications and status synchronization Web, iOS, and Android apps support students and employers	Combines profile search, job matching, and employer CRM. Supports virtual fairs, hiring events, and QR-code check-in. Tracks attendance, engagement, and outcomes in reporting tools.
Cons	Basic limits proactive outreach to 10 messages per month Promoted Jobs is an add-on for Basic or Pro Advanced messaging, analytics, and automation are Enterprise features	Pricing requires contacting sales rather than choosing a published plan. The broad feature set may exceed the needs of centers seeking a narrow tool. Employer and student workflows may require configuration of portals and schedules.
Our verdict	Handshake serves students, employers, and educational institutions through a shared career platform. Employers can post early-career jobs, connect with schools, message candidates, manage applications, promote events and career fairs, and… Read the review →	GradLeaders is a cloud-based career-services and early-talent platform for universities, colleges, career centers, employers, and workforce organizations. It brings student and alumni profiles, job and internship postings, candidate… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Handshake — where it wins

  • Free Basic plan supports job posts and a company presence
  • ATS integrations connect applications and status synchronization
  • Web, iOS, and Android apps support students and employers

  Where it doesn't

  • Basic limits proactive outreach to 10 messages per month
  • Promoted Jobs is an add-on for Basic or Pro
  • Advanced messaging, analytics, and automation are Enterprise features

• GradLeaders — where it wins

  • Combines profile search, job matching, and employer CRM.
  • Supports virtual fairs, hiring events, and QR-code check-in.
  • Tracks attendance, engagement, and outcomes in reporting tools.

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires contacting sales rather than choosing a published plan.
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of centers seeking a narrow tool.
  • Employer and student workflows may require configuration of portals and schedules.

• Handshake8.9/10 · Free plan

  A broad career network with free posting, student engagement, events, and ATS-connected hiring tools.

  Visit HandshakeFull verdict →
• GradLeaders8.4/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad career-services suite centered on employer relationships, events, and engagement.

  Visit GradLeadersFull verdict →